Besiktas vs Benfica
UEFA Champions League – Group B
Date: Wednesday, 23rd November 2016.
Kick-Off: 17:45 UK,
Venue: Besiktas Arena, Istanbul.
Besiktas have never won a home game against Portuguese opposition, in all competitions (D1 L3).
Meanwhile, Benfica have never won an away game against Turkish clubs, in all competitions (D2 L3).
Benfica have kept only one clean sheet in their last eight away games in the Champions League, it was on their last outing against Dynamo Kiev (2-0).
Besiktas have won only three of their last 12 Champions League home games (D2 L7), keeping only one clean sheet in those 12 fixtures.
Besiktas’ two home games this season have both ended 1-1. They’ve never gone unbeaten in three consecutive home games in the competition.
However, Besiktas are unbeaten in their four Champions League games this season (W1 D3), their longest ever run without a defeat in the competition.
Meanwhile, Benfica have won their last two Champions League games (both v Dynamo Kiev) but have never gone three in a row since the 2005/06 campaign.
Benfica have scored more than two goals only once in their last 44 Champions League games (v Anderlecht in November 2013).
67% of Besiktas’ goals in this season’s Champions League have come from set-piece (4/6), the highest ratio in the competition.
Benfica have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League only twice in their last eight appearances.
This is Besiktas’ sixth Champions League participation, their first since 2009/10. They have the chance to reach the knockout stages for the first time.
Ricardo Quaresma has scored two goals and assisted a further two in his last three Champions League games.
Eduardo Salvio has scored in each of his last three Champions League appearances with Benfica, with two of his three goals coming from the penalty spot.
Besiktas vs Benfica: Head-to-head stats
The first leg clash between the two sides at the Estadio La Luz in Lisbon on matchday 1 was a dramatic thriller. Benfica were leading 1-0 until the final seconds through an early goal until one of their players on loan at Benfica, Talisca scored the equaliser with seconds left on the clock. This is the only competitive meeting between the two sides so far.
Besiktas are without a home win in their 4 previous meetings with clubs from Portugal, 1 draw and 2 losses. While the overall record against Portuguese sides from 10 meetings is 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses.
Benfica’s overall record against Turkish sides is 5 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses from 12 matches. They are winless in 5 trips to Turkey, 2 draws and 3 losses.
Besiktas vs Benfica: Prediction
Benfica are a different side than the one Besiktas met on matchday 1 as a number of injury players have returned to the squad. However, their key striker Jonas remains sidelined. While Besiktas will be without Talisca, who scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Lisbon.
From sporting point of view, Besiktas are a team who are yet to taste a defeat at home this season. However, their two previous Champions League home fixtures were draws. While Benfica, despite their lone defeat at Napoli are unbeaten in 8 away matches in all competitions with 7 wins and a draw. So it is very evident that this will be a very tight contest.
Besiktas are without a win at home against Portuguese sides, while Benfica haven’t won in Turkey. As a result a draw will be the most probable outcome on Wednesday. Besiktas have already played out three 1-1 draws in Champions League and this is a score-line we can back on once again.
Besiktas vs Benfica: Bet Tips
The following Odds are provided by .
Under 2.5 goals at 7/10 (1.70)
Correct Full-Time Score: 1-1 at 6/1 (7.00).
